What many see as waste that is destined for disposal, an enterprising young researcher at The University of the West Indies Cave Hill campus treats as energy sources to help us power our way forward.
Environmental scientist Dr. Nikolai Holder is leading innovative research in bioenergy and biofuels, exploring how organic waste can be converted into sustainable energy solutions. A member of the Faculty of Science and Technology at Cave Hill where he obtained two graduate degrees, Dr. Holder’s work in anaerobic digestion technology is making significant contributions to renewable energy and waste management in the Caribbean.
Dr. Holder earned a master’s degree in renewable energy management and a doctorate in environmental studies and his current journey in bioenergy research began during his PhD studies where he sought ways to generate biofuel from organic waste. His research led to the construction of a semi-industrialized anaerobic digester system in 2018, allowing him to harness energy from campus grass clippings, sargassum seaweed, fish offal, coconut husks, river tamarind, and sugarcane bagasse. His efforts culminated in a major milestone—using compressed biomethane to power six research laboratories, a biology preparation room, and a teaching lab on campus. This project, seamlessly aligned with Cave Hill’s Smart Campus initiative, has contributed to reducing the institution’s carbon footprint while advancing clean energy production and waste management strategies.
Dr. Holder now supervises graduate students exploring innovative ways to integrate anaerobic digestion into various industries. Among these, Ms. Nandi Yard’s research on castor oil investigates how biofuel byproducts can enhance oil extraction and biodiesel production. Similarly, Ms. Tamaira Rowe’s work on lemongrass explores the plant’s bioactive compounds for natural medicine and pesticide production, while Mr. De-Mar Browne focuses on cassava cultivation, leveraging biogas to fuel food production and increase crop yields.
In October 2024, Dr. Holder collaborated with fellow faculty member Dr. Shane Austin, Deputy Dean (Outreach & Research) along with his students, to present at the Canada-Caribbean Institute Research Symposium at McMaster University.
Their presentation, titled Anaerobic Digestion: Biotechnology for Building a Sustainable Future, highlighted the role of anaerobic digestion in climate resilience, sustainable energy, and agricultural innovation. Their research emphasized the use of anaerobic digestion to convert agro-waste into biomethane and organic fertilizer, the integration of this technology into castor oil production to boost yields, and how C4 plants like lemongrass efficiently fix carbon dioxide under high-heat conditions, contributing to carbon sequestration. They also demonstrated how organic waste can be transformed into digestate, a nutrient-rich organic fertilizer. The team’s impactful research won the Outstanding Poster Award in Alternative Energy, reinforcing UWI Cave Hill’s role in pioneering bioenergy solutions.
Dr. Holder and his team remain committed to expanding their research and practical applications of anaerobic digestion technology. Their ongoing work in biofuel production, sustainable agriculture, and renewable energy solutions has the potential to reshape energy consumption in Barbados and the wider Caribbean.
By leveraging waste-to-energy conversion, this research is fostering a cleaner, greener, and more self-sufficient future – one where innovation meets sustainability for the benefit of all.
